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Sources stressed to ESPN.com that no deal was imminent Thursday and that both Portland and Utah are still evaluating multiple trade scenarios. But two sources with knowledge of the three-team proposal confirmed that there have been substantive talks regarding a trade that would land Boozer in Chicago, Hinrich in Portland and Tyrus Thomas in Utah.

A deal featuring those main components would deliver the elite low-post scorer that the Bulls have been chasing for years in Boozer and furnish Portland with a lead guard in Hinrich that the Blazers are known to rate highly as a potential backcourt mate for Brandon Roy. It's possible that other players would be added to balance out the transaction from a salary-cap perspective if the three teams elect to take these talks further.

Yet even if this deal collapses, sources say it is clear that the Jazz are becoming increasingly open to the possibility of moving Boozer now to increase their financial flexibility to re-sign restricted free agent Paul Millsap.

Despite fresh reports Thursday about the Blazers weighing whether to sign Millsap to an offer sheet, Hinrich is the player Portland prefers, according to one source close to the process, after the Blazers came so close last week to landing the versatile Hedo Turkoglu.

Boozer has only one season left at $12.7 million after declining the option in his contract to become an unrestricted free agent July 1. It's believed that the Jazz are determined to keep Millsap but are concerned about the luxury-tax consequences of signing him to a long-term deal.

Re: Sources: Boozer could go to Chicago

IMO, this'll make Chicago a contender in the East. They are stacked in the front court now, and just need some more depth at the (both) guard position(s). Their one remaining tradeable asset is Tim Thomas and his $6.5 mil expiring. Hmmmm ... .

Re: Sources: Boozer could go to Chicago

I disagree. The Bulls would have lost Gordon (their leading scorer), Thomas (an athletic defensive player), and Hinrich (a solid sub and onetime starter who averages double figures) and only gotten Carlos Boozer.

I say the Bulls tread water next season and only improve if Rose drastically improves over the summer.

Re: Sources: Boozer could go to Chicago

There are a whole lot of holes that need to be filled in this potential trade, before you could truly assess it accurately. Theres obviously significant pieces missing and how those play out would play a major role in determining how viable it actually is.

Re: Sources: Boozer could go to Chicago

I disagree. The Bulls would have lost Gordon (their leading scorer), Thomas (an athletic defensive player), and Hinrich (a solid sub and onetime starter who averages double figures) and only gotten Carlos Boozer.

I say the Bulls tread water next season and only improve if Rose drastically improves over the summer.

The Bulls have been on the verge for several years now with lots of real talented draft picks-Rose, Deng, Gordon, Hinrich, Thomas, Sefalosa, Noah, etc. Now many of these players are gone. I'm also not buying they are a real contender either.

Re: Sources: Boozer could go to Chicago

The Bulls have been on the verge for several years now with lots of real talented draft picks-Rose, Deng, Gordon, Hinrich, Thomas, Sefalosa, Noah, etc. Now many of these players are gone. I'm also not buying they are a real contender either.

Exactly. The Bulls have have been anointed as the next great thing for the past five years and they have won a total of ONE playoff series in that span. They seem to have drafted in the top 10 (either through record or trade) the past decade and haven't had a ton to show for it.

Re: Sources: Boozer could go to Chicago

Man, I am not quite as high on Boozer as lots of you on here seem to be. Yes, he is a pretty fair rebounder and can score the ball well, but he is a HUGE defensive liability. Look at what jazz fans have to say about Boozer on realgm. Yes, I know they want to rid themselves of his contract, but many of them are burnt out on his game and acknowledge that his stats might be a tad misleading to how good of a player he is. He can't guard the 5 and the long 4 (Aka Odom, Lineas Kleiza, etc) which makes him a relatively big defensive liability.

Re: Sources: Boozer could go to Chicago

he is not an automatic 20/10. He has only done that two years in his career. but yeah I get the point. He is a terrific player and the Bulls could be a top 4 team in the east with him. Damn we are in a good division

Re: Sources: Boozer could go to Chicago

Exactly. The Bulls have have been anointed as the next great thing for the past five years and they have won a total of ONE playoff series in that span. They seem to have drafted in the top 10 (either through record or trade) the past decade and haven't had a ton to show for it.

Re: Sources: Boozer could go to Chicago

he is not an automatic 20/10. He has only done that two years in his career. but yeah I get the point. He is a terrific player and the Bulls could be a top 4 team in the east with him. Damn we are in a good division

He's 17/10 for his career. I like Boozer for Chicago, although they do take a hit defensively. But as for Gordon leaving, I think they'll be fine if Deng comes back healthy. Just slide Salmons over to the 2 slot. As for Hinrich, you do miss a little depth, but still, Rose will be fine. You'd probably only need someone serviceable behind him. Maybe a Flip Murray. I think the Boozer deal would work out great for them.